When Marie Gladney was appointed executive director of the Mount Carmel Guild of Trenton, she brought with her a wealth of experience and the tools necessary to effectively manage a non-profit organization amidst an economic crisis.

But what is especially fitting is her passion and desire for helping those less fortunate, which dates back to when she attended Rider University, Lawrenceville. Gladney was able to receive grants and scholarships that covered all of her tuition, mainly due to low family income.

“My education was covered, so I made the commitment to work in public service or non-profit for my career to give back,” she said. “And I’ve been lucky; that’s what I’ve been able to do the entire time.”

Gladney’s career spanned several government agencies, both at the state and county level. In Mercer County, she served at the director’s level in both the Department of Human Services and the Mercer County Improvement Authority.

On the state level, Gladney served as assistant director for Work Force New Jersey, a program aimed at helping welfare recipients receive training and jobs, which at the time was a pilot program. She later served as an assistant commissioner for the Department of Labor, and in 2001, earned a masters degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University.

She retired from her government career in 2004, shifting focus to the non-profit industry beginning at ARC Mercer, an organization that advocates and provides for the mentally disabled. She most recently served as associate executive director for the organization, taking responsibility for nearly a dozen initiatives, from medical and behavioral services to maintaining a fleet of over fifty vehicles.

Throughout her career, Gladney accrued extensive experience in management, human relations, fundraising, finances, capital improvement projects, and grant writing. Especially relevant to her new position at the Guild is her experience both as a grant writer and applicant as well as an evaluator.

“I sat on both sides of the table,” she said. Prior to leaving the ARC, Gladney had applied for over $1 million in grants, only one of which the organization was turned down for as of her last day there.

Gladney began at the Guild on August 19 after a lengthy process with 65 other applicants, though this was not her first exposure to their work.

“I knew about the Mount Carmel Guild from the early 1960’s,” she said, explaining how her maternal grandmother was an active volunteer at the Guild, and she would often visit her after she finished her shift. While working in government, Gladney often came across the work of the Guild.

“They always did a good job; they always stretched the dollar as much as possible,” she said when referring to client services.

Founded in 1920, the Mount Carmel Guild, located in the heart of Trenton, provides support for residents of Mercer County. The Emergency Assistance program provides 3-5 days worth of groceries to clients once a month, and the Homeless Prevention initiative helps keep individuals and families in their homes by assisting with payments for rent or mortgage and utilities, often working with landlords and public service agencies to negotiate lower rates.

Another component of the Guild’s outreach services is the Comprehensive Nutritional Care program, which is led by a registered dietician. Clients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS have access to a variety of specialized services, from nutritional counseling to the provision of multivitamin and protein supplements, and those with other conditions, such as diabetes, can learn more about how to stay healthy and can receive groceries that better suit their condition.

The Home Health Nursing program maintains a staff of registered nurses who make regular home visits to elderly clients who are still able to live in their homes, but need the care of a nurse for specific tasks. Nurses help to regulate medication and perform health screenings, among other things. Mostly, however, these nurses serve as the primary form of human contact for many of the clients, who often have difficulty leaving their homes.

“These people really look forward to the nurses coming,” said Gladney.

Gladney considers serving at the Guild to be a perfect fit for her, and expressed her excitement for working with the dedicated staff and large pool of committed volunteers. As a practicing Catholic, she was also attracted to the religious aspect of the organization.

“More importantly, I wanted to become more hands-on involved,” she said. “I’ve always had a special fondness for senior citizens, and this just seemed like the perfect match.” She enjoys making regular visits to the Emergency Assistance building when clients are there, as well as accompanying nurses on their home visits of elderly clients.

“I felt more and more like this was the place I needed and wanted to be,” she said when discussing how she grew more attached to the prospect of serving at the Guild as the selection process progresses.

“Her enthusiasm is fantastic and it’s contagious,” said Brian O’Neill, one of the business managers for the Mount Carmel Guild.

In planning for her first year as executive director, Gladney outlined a few major goals that she hopes to attain. First, she would like to expand the Emergency Assistance building, which is currently not large enough to fully support the program’s activities. Staff and volunteers have to work in close quarters, and clients are often forced to line up outside, not able to fit into the small waiting area.

She also plans to work with the Board of Trustees to develop a three-year strategic plan. “Having a plan of how to move forward is always the best way to do business,” she said.

In discussing the need to pursue additional funding opportunities and increase awareness of the Guild’s work, Gladney explained the current struggles shouldered by non-profits throughout the community.

“The increase in clients has been significant, particularly at the end of the month.” She referenced that some clients are making minimum wage, while others experience a job loss in their household. “The faces have changed a little bit. They are the working poor.”

She also described the Guild’s current appeal for support, and the underlying needs that continue to exist in the community it serves.

“Emergency assistance is always going to exist,” she said. “You hope that you could be in a position to put yourself out of business with the job that you do. (But) I don’t see emergency assistance disappearing anytime soon.”

However, as Gladney noted, the Guild has been fortunate to never have to turn anyone away at the food pantry.

As she nears the six-month anniversary of her appointment, Gladney could not be happier at the Guild.

“It’s difficult work, but it is both an honor and a privilege to be able to serve those less fortunate than yourself,” she said. “The work is very rewarding.”